Staff

Rabbi Evan Goodman

Rabbi Evan Goodman is the Executive Director of Santa Barbara Hillel. He loves working with college students and Santa Barbara Hillel supporters to create a dynamic “Jewish home away from home” where we explore Judaism, engage our Jewish values in the community around us, and enrich the lives of our students. He is proactive in standing up for SB Hillel's students, building bridges, and fostering a positive campus climate.

An avid hiker, Rabbi Evan can often be found on local trails - or taking a getaway to Yosemite or Tahoe. He's a big fan of the San Francisco Giants. Rabbi Evan and his wife Lori are the proud parents of two sons, Ilan and Noah. Before arriving at Santa Barbara Hillel in July 2009, Rabbi Evan served for 16 years as a congregational rabbi in San Francisco and San Mateo, California, and in New Rochelle, New York.

Rabbi Goodman’s honors include Hillel International’s 2015 Richard M. Joel “Exemplar of Excellence Award” and AIPAC's 2014 “Ally of the Year” award for his “Accomplishments on Behalf of the U.S.-Israel Relationship on Campus.” Rabbi Goodman currently serves as Treasurer of the Executive Board of the Pacific Association of Reform Rabbis, a member of the Regional Advisory Board of Santa Barbara ADL, and a member of the Taubman Symposia Program Committee.

A graduate of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, Cincinnati, Ohio, Rabbi Evan was ordained in 1993. He received a Master of Arts in Hebrew Letters from HUC-JIR in 1991, and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of California, Berkeley in 1988.

Rabbi Evan Goodman is pleased to lead our wonderful staff at Santa Barbara Hillel as we inspire the Jewish future.

Ashley Marx

Ashley Marx is thrilled to be joining the team at Santa Barbara Hillel as the Assistant Director. Ashley's work at Hillel is fueled by her belief that meaningful Jewish experiences, building relationships, and fostering Jewish identity can change lives. Ashley graduated with honors from the University of Washington with a BA in Early Childhood and Family Studies. She is also a proud Hebrew Union College alum, from which she holds a Masters in Jewish Education and a Graduate Certificate in Jewish Nonprofit Management. She previously worked at Stephen Wise Temple as the Religious School Director and has vast experience in Jewish youth and camping. In 2019 Ashley received the title Reform Jewish Educator, signifying her excellence in the field.

A native of Seattle, Ashley comes to Santa Barbara by way of Los Angeles and is excited to blend her love of the outdoors with the amazing SoCal weather. Ashley enjoys running, spinning, backpacking, and snow sports. She is especially looking forward to taking advantage of Santa Barbara's hiking with her four-legged companion, Widget. In the fall you can catch her cheering on the Husky Football Team and the Seattle Seahawks. True to the Seattle stereotype she loves coffee and seafood, and would welcome your recommendations in the Santa Barbara area.

Jen Stone

Jen Stone is thrilled to be Santa Barbara Hillel’s Director of Student Life. Jen grew up in Peabody, Massachusetts, right outside Boston. She attended Lesley University where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Expressive Arts Therapy, and then spent a wonderful, and warm, two years down in Tallahassee, Florida where she earned her Masters of Science in Higher Education Administration. For the past few years Jen has been working in a variety of settings within higher education and student affairs. She has decided to take her passion for Judaism, college students, Israel, and warm weather; bundle it all together and turn it into a career!

Jen enjoys traveling, (she has been to 17 countries and keeps that list growing) all things Harry Potter, kickboxing, reading on the beach, creating and experimenting with new art techniques, trying out new recipes she finds from tasty videos and the Great British Baking Show, jamming out to the Maccabeats on repeat in her car, re-watching all 7 seasons of Gilmore Girls, and tries to get to NYC at least once a year to see a Broadway show! With her love of Judaism and the collegiate student experience, Jennifer hopes to continue to bring passion, creativity, innovation and fun into the Santa Barbara Hillel community on this new adventure on the West Coast!

Ally Gerstley

Ally is thrilled to be part of the Santa Barbara Hillel team as the Israel Engagement Associate: IACT. Originally from Mission Viejo, CA, she is excited to be back on the West Coast and explore beautiful Santa Barbara. Ally graduated from Tulane University with her B.A. in English and Jewish Studies. On campus, she was involved as a tour guide and New Student Orientation Team Leader, as well as in the undergraduate performing arts society, Hillel, Greek life, and more. She then went on to earn her M.A. in Experiential Education & Jewish Cultural Arts from George Washington University.

Ally enjoys traveling and loved studying abroad in both Jerusalem and Prague. As a passionate advocate of Israel, experiential education, and pluralism, she is excited to help students discover their Jewish identities and connections with Israel. Ally loves experimenting with cooking, doing Zumba, and laughing so hard she cries. She can't wait to get to know y'all over coffee and conversation!

Eliana Michelson

Eliana is thrilled to be joining the Santa Barbara Hillel team as the Engagement Associate. Originally from San Diego, CA, but she spent the last year in Orlando working for Disney World. Eliana graduated from Chapman University with her B.A. in Integrated Educational Studies with Emphasis in Teaching and Learning in the Community. As well as having minors in Leadership Studies and Spanish. She also studied in Spain and speaks Spanish. On campus, she was involved as an Orientation Leader, Rho Gamma, working at the Fish Interfaith Center, Hillel, Greek life, and more.

Eliana was also active in her Hillel in college, serving as president of the student board and as a Student Engagement Intern. It was through her experience with Hillel that her passion for enhancing and empowering Jewish life on college campuses grew. In her free time, she loves being in the great outdoors, finding a new show to watch, trying new places to eat and cooking up a good meal with friends. Eliana knew that she wanted to be working in the Jewish community and is looking forward to enriching the Jewish student experience both on and off campus!

Carol A. Celic

Carol Celic is the Operations Manager for Santa Barbara Hillel. Born and raised in New Jersey, Carol moved to California as a teenager. She earned her Associate’s degree in Communication Studies at Santa Barbara City College, and earned her Bachelor of Arts degree at California State University, Monterey Bay in Humanities and Communication and minors in Nonprofit Management and Environmental Studies. Carol relocated to Northern California, where she pursued her graduate studies in History at California State University, Chico. While earning her degrees, Carol dedicated her career to working and volunteering with nonprofit organizations and education institutions.

When Carol is not at Santa Barbara Hillel, she enjoys spending time at the beach, hiking in the Santa Barbara region, camping, and taking road trips throughout California with her canine sidekick, Penny Pickles. On the weekends, Carol also dedicates her free time to a driving force in her life -- volunteering. Carol has been volunteering over the past decade with the Channel Islands Naturalist Corps, as an interpretive naturalist for Channel Islands National Park and National Marine Sanctuary, which inspired her appreciation for the region’s diverse environment, and natural and cultural history.

Carol is grateful for the opportunity to bring her nonprofit and operations experience, and enthusiasm to Santa Barbara Hillel’s dedicated team and supporting its mission.